We had the opportunity to visit Liceo Laura Bassi to introduce our project, Youth DemocrAID: Education, Debate, Action, through a series of interactive workshops aimed at promoting youth engagement and democratic values. In total, we conducted four workshops, each focused on a different topic but all united by a common goal: empowering young people to actively participate in democratic life.
We began with a session on Ethical Standards and European Values, which served as a set of shared guidelines for how the workshops would be conducted — promoting respect, inclusivity, and open-minded dialogue. Following this, we introduced the CERV program (Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values), providing context for the European framework supporting our work. After that, we presented the Youth DemocrAID project, outlining its goals of education, debate, and action for empowering young people in democratic participation.
Community Action and Grassroots Initiatives
Under this theme, students took part in a dynamic activity called “Map of Change.” They identified key issues affecting their communities, explored their root causes and consequences, and reflected on how these challenges impact their daily lives.
We then moved to “From Idea to Action,” where students worked in teams to turn their ideas into real action plans. They organized their proposals into clear steps and presented them to the class for discussion and feedback.
Youth and Civic Engagement
We kicked off this workshop with an energizer to boost motivation, followed by the activity “My First Political Party.” Students created fictional political parties, including names, core values, and main policy ideas. This helped them better understand how political ideologies are formed and how parties represent different viewpoints in a democracy.
We wrapped up with “Political Compass,” a quiz covering social and economic questions. Students reflected on their answers to discover where they stand politically and which ideologies align with their views. It was a fun and thoughtful way to explore personal beliefs and political positioning.
Political Participation and Advocacy
We started with a brief theoretical introduction, emphasizing how political participation strengthens democracy and shapes political awareness. Students learned about both conventional forms (like voting or joining parties) and unconventional ones (like protests and online activism).
Next, we played a “Mind Game” where students created a crossword using the phrase “POLITICAL PARTICIPATION,” brainstorming words and ideas connected to political life.
Then we tested their knowledge through a Kahoot quiz about the political systems in Italy and the European Union. We closed the session with “Speed Debating,” where students rotated tables to discuss a range of political topics. This helped them practice expressing their opinions, listening to others, and thinking critically.
Introduction to Democracy and Citizenship
In our final workshop, we introduced the basics of how democracy works in Italy and invited students to share their knowledge. Using Mentimeter, we collected their opinions on the current state of democracy in their country.
We ended with a game called “Be a Fake News Content Creator.” Students analyzed various news stories, learning how to distinguish between real and fake information. The activity highlighted how misinformation can harm democratic processes and the importance of media literacy.
Throughout the sessions, we encouraged students to actively participate, think critically, and collaborate with their peers. Their enthusiasm and creativity were truly inspiring, and it was exciting to witness their engagement in shaping positive change within their communities.
These workshops reaffirmed the importance of fostering youth-led initiatives and equipping young people with the tools to turn their ideas into meaningful action. We’re proud to support a generation that is ready to make a difference.
